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Encourage Adherence

According to the World Health Organization, the average patient adherence to treatments for chronic conditions is about 50%.1 In fact, many patients discontinue therapy after only 6 months.2 Annual US costs from patients not remaining adherent to their medication regimens were $269.4 billion in 2012.3

For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), medication nonadherence can lead to episodes of hyperglycemia and other complications, which in turn may lead to increased healthcare costs.4

Patient empowerment has been tied to better medication adherence, increased knowledge of diabetes, better diet and exercise, and regular blood glucose testing.5 To help keep your T2D patient population on track, explore the adherence tools below.

20 resources available

Promotes engagement by helping patients to keep track of their blood glucose measurements all in one place, and allows their HCPs to visualize trends and monitor progress.

Brief overview for healthcare providers includes quality measures associated with BMI, and how BMI may be an ideal patient engagement opportunity.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Outlines the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s key elements of delivering coordinated care for patients with complex needs (assessment, individualized care, access, and communication and monitoring) and how those elements may be applied to diabetes care.

Helps patients understand the potential ways diabetes can seriously affect the health of their entire body if not properly managed, including potential complications and information on the effects of depression and stress.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Offers recommended diabetes management practices including care coordination. Presents some of the many factors involved in diabetes care, and offers potential strategies to help case managers engage patients.

manager interview guide

Based on the American Association of Diabetes Educators self-care behaviors, this interview guide can help case managers engage their patients with diabetes, and better understand their behaviors in order to promote individualized diabetes management.

Helps providers engage patients in a discussion of T2D self-management barriers and potential approaches to better manage them.

Tips about staying in good health for patients with diabetes, including the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Encourages patients to make regular visits to specialized healthcare team members, including optometrists and ophthalmologists, dentists, and podiatrists.

Motivational Interviewing Introduction for Type 2 Diabetes

Introduces the methodology and concepts of motivational interviewing and how this technique may help patients with T2D.

Motivational Interviewing

Provides a brief set of motivational interviewing tips and techniques to help providers interview patients with T2D.

Reviews the American Diabetes Association's suggestions for healthy A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and provides tables for patients to track their own results.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Encourages patients to commit to their health through pledges that reinforce proper management of diabetes, such as regularly checking their blood sugar levels, healthy eating, and staying active.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Motivational Interviewing in Patient Engagement Payer Discussion

Outlines the main goals of motivational interviewing, which follows established guidelines and techniques.

Type 2 Diabetes in the African American Community

Highlights the impact of diabetes in the African American community.

Contains helpful resources for patients who are newly diagnosed with T2D.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Specifically designed for people with T2D, this tracker lets patients keep all their important medical information, including information about their HCPs, together in a single place. Helps in establishing a complete medical record.

Explains the importance of proper blood sugar management, the effects high blood sugar can have on the body, and the importance of following a medication treatment plan.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Quick reference guide for patients with T2D. Discusses the importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and identifies strategies for managing blood sugar highs and lows.

Discusses the importance of understanding BMI for patients, explains the connection between diabetes and weight, and provides a chart to determine BMI.

Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

Family and Friends Education Guide for Type 2 Diabetes

Helps patients educate their family and friends on their commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Available in Spanish | Available in Mandarin

References:

  1. Sabaté E, ed. Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2003.
  2. Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(5):487-497.
  3. Miller S. MAP: bad Rx decisions cost poor US states most. lab.express-scripts.com/insights/drug-options/map-bad-rx-decisions-cost-poor-us-states. Accessed December 14, 2017.
  4. García-Pérez L-E, Álvarez M, Dilla T, Gil-Guillén V, Orozco-Beltrán D. Adherence to therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Ther. 2013;4(2):175-194.
  5. Hernandez-Tejada MA, Campbell JA, Walker RJ, Smalls BL, Davis KS, Egede LE. Diabetes empowerment, medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2012;14(7):630-634.